NANOTECHNOLOGY FOR THE AUTOMOBILE
The concept of nanotechnology for automotive applications is regarded as “cutting edge”. Alterations of a substance so as to make it respond to another on a molecular and even nuclear level change its function dramatically.
The focus of this discussion relates to the reduction of friction in automotive mechanical systems. Power generation and manipulation of that power has been the goal of all designers since the invention of the automobile. What has limited the efficient production of power has been friction and the heat caused by friction. By the nature of the machineries design, wear has been a great limiting factor. Wear caused by the friction and heat of normal operation.
Friction not only opposes the generation of power, but causes heat itself. Friction saps horsepower, reduces performance and efficiency.
Lubrication is the function in a mechanical system that serves to prevent the wear and friction that occurs. Conventional oils and greases have served to do this for over a century. The “cutting edge” with respect to lubrication seems to be Nanotechnology. The mechanical systems have been developed and proven for many years. One of the options left for designers is to improve the efficiency and performance of the lubricants that protect the mechanisms.
Incorporating nanoparticles into a lubricant has the effect of altering not only the lubricant, but also the metals that it is protecting.
This alteration occurs on a molecular level due to the fact that nanoparticles have a different ratio of surface area to volume than normal bits of the same substances. More atoms in the individual molecules are able to react with other substances in close proximity.
For the purposes of this discussion, nanoparticles of tungsten are dispersed in the carrier lubricant. The carrier serves primarily as the lubricant, and also transports the tungsten component to all friction surfaces of the mechanism.
Tungsten nanoparticles are in this way deposited on bearings, shafts, cylinder walls, pistons & piston rings, valves & their guides. Basically, anywhere metal to metal friction normally occurs.
Lubricants augmented with nanoparticles of an extremely wear resistant substance like tungsten are more able to prevent the metal to metal friction that saps power and causes wear. The tungsten component has a pressure rating of over 300,000 psi. The coefficient of friction is dramatically improved.
The principle of how tungsten nanospheres augment lubricant qualities is similar to the molybdenum and graphite additives used in the past. However, moly and graphite only mix with the lubricant. Nanoparticles react in such a way as to bond with the metals they are exposed to. Leaving a layer of the material bonded to the friction surfaces.
Many different materials are made into nanoparticles, but have undesireable characteristics as an addition to a lubricant. Tungsten was chosen as a material because of its wear resistance, chemical inertness, and its thermal resistance.
Mechanical systems treated with tungsten have less friction and heat buildup than conventional lubricants alone. Adding a component like tungsten to a lubricant will cause no adverse reaction to the lubricant. Graphite and molybdenum have some abrasive and chemically reactive properties that are less than desireable.The small size of the nanoparticles makes abrasion impossible and tungsten is chemically inert.
In short, there are no disadvantages to incorporating tungsten nanoparticles into a lubricant, all it does is reduce friction and increase the pressure rating of the lubricant.
The final result is increased efficiency, better gas mileage, less wear and increased horsepower.
All products formulated by a mechanical engineer.